Thinking 'Bout You- SP 3 ✔️

Chapter 37 Fortune And Men's Eyes

I'm in my Pops uniform with Veronica, she's making a cup of coffee as I put down some food for my dad, FP and Mr Keller
"Thanks Rory" FP says as my dad sits down
"Just got off the phone with the warden at juvenile hall. He says Archies been processed. He's ok?" Veronica sighs next to me
"Oh thank god"
"Yeah. They got a line on those thugs that gave false testimony against him"
"I'm friends with the sheriff at Shadow County, he found the remains of a campfire in the deep woods" Mr Keller tells dad and FP while I'm wiping down the surfaces
"Archies in jail and these cretins are basically camping"
"No for long. we'll make sure of that" FP says
"We all know who's the reason for all of this, what other dark secrets is your dad hiding Veronica?"
"Rory" dad scolds me
"I'm with you guys, 100% he's not my dad right now. We need to keep the fires burning at school Rory, can't do that if we're arguing. My Archiekins will be back in time for Homecoming" the door to Pops opens and in walks Pea, Toni and Fangs
"Ready for school Rory?" Fangs asks
"Just let me go change. V you coming?" I ask Veronica
"Yeah you go ahead without me" I take off my apron and head to the back where I can get changed into some jeans and strappy top, before heading off to school.

After school Veronica and I go to visit Archie
"Why are you sitting that way?" Veronica asks as Archie moves a little, he looks like he's in pain
"I'm just a little sore"
"From what?" I ask
"Working out. There's an amazing gym here"
"Uh hu" Veronica slightly nods not fully believing him, and to be honest neither do I "and where are your shoes?" I look down to where Ronnie is looking and see Archie wearing socks and sandals
"Oh er the warden took them from me when I got here, along with all my other clothes" I frown feeling rather confused
"That doesn't make any sense"
"Rory stop. Talk to me about school. What am I missing? how's the speakeasy coming?"
"It's coming" Veronica sighs
"What's it like, being president in my place?" Veronica looks at Archie awkwardly, she doesn't really want to tell him that Cheryl has actually stepped up
"So erm dad is letting us keep Hot Dog, will give Vegas a little company when were not home"
"How is mom and dad?"
"They're... coping. Mom is doing everything she can to get you out, dad, FP and Mr Keller are also doing everything they can. I never thought I would miss you keeping me up at night while you play those stupid games" I chuckle
"Erm you know Joaquine?" I nod my head "well he's here, was caught during riot night, thought youd want to tell Fangs, Toni and Sweet Pea"
"Yeah, thanks"
"Oh my gosh, I forgot to tell you both" Veronica gasps "ok so Jughead and Betty have notice this new game, Gryphons and Gargoyles, or G&G. Anyway so Dilton and Ben have been playing this game althrought summer and Jughead found them both in the woods with these odd markings on their backs. Dilton's passed away, but Ben is alive in the ICU"
"What the hell?" I frown
"Obviously took the game to far" Archie sighs
"Yeah way to far" the bell then ring telling us visiting is over
"Well I guess I'll see you both soon" Archie says, but it comes out as more of a question
"Of course, we will be back soon" Archie then stands up
"Love you both"
"We love you Arch" I smile as I watch him walk away. I sigh turning to look a Veronica "I hate this"
"So do I Rory, so do I" Veronica and I leave and get into her car that's waiting outside for us.
Veronica drops me off at Pea's trailer, I don't bother knocking the door, instead I just walk in to see Sweet Pea bare chest washing up some dishes
"Hey babe what are you doing here?" he asks turning around after hearing the door open the close
"Just seen Archie and needed to have a pick me up" I sit down on his couch
"How is he?" Pea dries his hands off. I shrug as he comes to sit next to me placing an arm around me
"Hard to say. Something's going on and I'm not sure what. Joaquin is in there, he knows Archie isn't a real Serpent, but I think the Ghoulies are making life in there hard for him" I sigh. Pea pulls me in tighter
"He's tough, he'll be ok" Pea kisses the side of my head
"I hope so"

The next couple of days Veronica goes to see Archie without me, I go with mom and dad instead, even Pea comes with me once, but now I'm in my cheer uniform waiting for Ronnie to give us the signal to start cheering, the boys rush to the fence to see us. Ronie presses play and we start a routine that we have been practicing for a while now and somehow I have been roped in to sing, well I guess here it goes
"The warden threw a party in the county jail, the prison band was there and they began to wail. The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing. You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing" I sing while doing our routine
"Let's rock, everybody, let's rock. Everybody in the whole cell block. Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock" this time everyone joins in. We continue on with our routine, but at the end we watch as armed police come in throwing the boys to the ground, hitting them, some try to escape. I watch as Archie is beaten
"Archie! let go of him!" Veronica shouts, Cheryl and Josie have to pull her away from the fence
"How can they do this? this is pure abuse!" I shout
"Rory lets go"

"It will never end with him will it" Veronica ties her Pops apron on over her uniform
"Daddy Dearest you mean?" Cheryl says playing with the cherry on top of her milkshake
"He's obsessed with keeping me and Archie apart. I can't even go visit him anymore"
"He needs to get a life" I mutter before taking a sip of my milkshake
"Apparently he put my name on a do not admit list"
"Then get a new name" Cheryl responds
"Wait, cheryl might be onto something"
"Before leaving on my iconic road trip with Toni, Reggie got us fake ID's to get into the Viper room"
"Of course he did" I roll my eyes "may as well ask him Ronnie, stick a blonde wig on a pair of sunglasses and no one will recognize you" Ronnie smiles at Cher and I.